Pilia malenadu-A New Species of Jumping Spider Discovered in Karnataka

A team of researchers studying biodiversity in the Western Ghats has discovered a new species of jumping spider belonging to the genus Pilia.

• The species was found at Madhugundi village in Mudigere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka.
• The new spider has been named Pilia malenadu — a tribute to the Malenadu region where it was discovered.

Scientific Significance

• The discovery has been published in Zootaxa, an international journal focusing on biodiversity research.
• This is a remarkable find, as the last recorded discovery of a spider belonging to the Pilia genus was made 123 years ago, in 1902, in Kerala.
• The Pilia genus comprises multiple species, but no new addition had been identified for over a century.

Unique Characteristics

• Researchers were able to identify both male and female specimens of Pilia malenadu — a first for this genus.
• The newly discovered species differs from common house or garden spiders, both in appearance and behaviour.
• Pilia malenadu is part of the Salticidae family, known for jumping spiders that possess excellent vision and active hunting habits.

Broader Importance

• The finding underscores the Western Ghats’ status as a biodiversity hotspot, still home to undiscovered and endemic species.
• It highlights the need for continued exploration and conservation of India’s unique ecosystems, particularly in regions like Malenadu and the Western Ghats, which face growing environmental pressures.

Source: TH